University of Connecticut Athletics
Swim and Dive Adds Pair of Coaches
7/15/2019 3:00:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
STORRS, Conn. – Head swimming and diving coach Chris Maiello has announced the addition of two coaches to his staff. The Huskies welcome head diving coach Josh Arndt and assistant coach Cayleigh McCusker to the program.
Josh Arndt joins the Huskies after spending two years with UMass as their head diving coach. Both seasons he was in Amherst, Arndt took home Atlantic 10 Women's Diving Coach of the Year honors while sending a qualifier to the NCAA's. His diver's produced two school records, one Atlantic 10 Conference record and took home four Atlantic 10 Championships. Arndt graduated from one of the top diving schools in the country, Indiana University, in 2017.
While diving as a Hoosier, he earned All-American status in 2016 with a fourth place finish in the three-meter and was a 2016 Olympic Trails Diving Qualifier. He secured sixth place in the 2015 USA Diving Nationals one-meter event and was a two-time US National Championship finalist.
"We are excited that Josh has decided to join our coaching staff," said Coach Maiello. "With Josh's experience at UMass and his pedigree from Indiana University diving, we know our divers are under excellent leadership and coaching. Josh shares our common vision for the diving program and its potential that it has. Josh's passion for impacting student-athletes and his technical coaching ability really stood out during our national search. We feel he is a rising star in the diving coaching profession."
"I am incredibly honored to become a part of the Husky family," said Arndt. "I'm excited to join Chris and the staff as we work towards the program's goals and help our talented student-athletes reach their greatest potential."
Cayleigh McCusker comes to Storrs after finishing up her first year as an assistant swimming and diving coach at Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J. While coaching at Rowan, she also worked as a compliance coordinator. A 2018 graduate of Rowan University, she was a member of the swimming and diving team from 2014-18 and swam breaststroke and individual medley. In 2018, she won the Metropolitan Championships and helped Rowan capture its second-straight New Jersey Athletic Conference title.
"Cayleigh is an up an comer in world of coaching- coming from Rowan University, she is no stranger to hard work and dedication, said Coach Maiello We liked her coaching experience and felt she was a perfect fit for our program. Her skill sets will match well with what we are trying to accomplish as a coaching staff and team. We can't wait for her to get started."
"I'm very excited to make the transition to Division 1 and bring my past experiences from Rowan University to a top tier program here at UConn," said McCuckers. "I'm grateful for the opportunity and ready to see what this season has in store. Go Huskies!"
